The Knicks took a patient approach to the 2020 offseason, opting not to pursue impact players like Russell Westbrook via trade or Fred VanVleet via free agency, per Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, and that approach has paid off so far this season. Many of the lower-cost veterans New York did add, including Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel, have played key roles on a team that is currently 34-27, fourth in the East.
Given this year’s success, there will be a “cohort” of New York’s front office eager to push to add more impactful talent during the 2021 offseason, Fischer writes.
“Now the goal posts have been moved,” a person with knowledge of the situation told Bleacher Report. “Thibs (head coach Tom Thibodeau) isn’t going to want to rebuild. He has a lot of power, and there’s some momentum.”
While Thibodeau and other Knicks decision-makers may want to be aggressive in free agency, the club could again opt to take more of a middle ground, according to Fischer. One potential route would be re-signing Burks and Noel to one-year contracts and attempting to add an impact outside free agent, such as Kyle Lowry, on a short-term deal. Fischer hears that Lowry is expected to seek a multiyear commitment, but perhaps a lucrative one-year offer from the Knicks could entice him.
Fischer’s deep dive into the Knicks’ present and future includes many more interesting tidbits. Here are some highlights:
- There’s some skepticism around the NBA that Julius Randle‘s increased three-point efficiency is sustainable (he’s making 41.6% this season after entering the season as a 29.5% three-point shooter). And Fischer says the Knicks did, at least briefly, consider the possibility of trading Randle earlier this season when his value was on the rise. However, he hasn’t tailed off at all after his hot start. “Everyone knew Randle was a good player, but nobody thought he could be the best player on a playoff team,” one assistant GM told Fischer. “Now I’d vote for him second-team All-NBA, and there’s no question he should be Most Improved.”
- Given Randle’s success this season, that assistant GM who spoke to Fischer wondered how much the Knicks’ enthusiasm for Obi Toppin – who plays the same position as Randle – might have waned in recent months. “You can’t really play him and Randle together,” the assistant GM said, speculating that the rookie could become a trade candidate. “There’s no runway for him to be successful there.”
- The Knicks’ play this season has increased the appeal of the organization as a free agent destination in the eyes of agents, Fischer writes. “If you wanted to be part of a good organization and win, you couldn’t possibly send anyone there (before this year). And that’s changed with Thibs and (assistant coach) Kenny (Payne),” one agent said to Bleacher Report. “Even in the draft, if we had someone who wanted to go there and was maybe an immature kid and needed good people around them to grow them as a pro, you couldn’t send him there.”
- Fischer reiterates that Lonzo Ball, a restricted free agent this summer, has some big fans within the Knicks’ front office, and reports that Norman Powell is another free-agent-to-be who may draw interest from the club. Thibodeau is known to like Powell, sources tell Fischer.
Leon Rose is cheap
They won’t sign Ball and Powell
Why didn’t 76ers trade for Norman Powell?
Don’t confuse cheap with stupid. He’s neither.
Right, not every owner is willing to spend $300M/year.
Joe Lacob certainly isn’t cheap, but this year he’s being stupid.
He’s not cheap. He’s smarter then all the NY GMs before him. They r getting better/even performance from way cheaper players then what Ball and Powell have provided. They need to stay to the script and keeping stocking thru the draft and signing solid vets who can contribute.
But I think they r wrong that Obi and Randle can’t play together. Randle can easily handle minutes at the center as could Obi.
We should NOT trade Obi. Obi, IMO, can become a star player and just hasn’t had the chance to really show his skills. He wasn’t NCAA Player of the year for no reason. Keep him snd of course keep Randle as well.
I’m not sure why people stress over rigid positions for players. Why wouldn’t you be able to play Obi and Randle at once? As a hypothetical, next year you could have Robinson at Center, whoever they decide to upgrade to at PG, then Obi/Randle/Barrett in the 2-4 spots, with Obi more at 3/4 and Barrett at 2/3 with Randle being fluid.
Obviously, Obi would need to develop more for that lineup to work, but I don’t really think in this league there’s too much of a difference anymore between 2/3 and between 3/4. Almost everyone on the court shoots 3s and can run.
Randle definitely has the size to be a good stretch-5.
I have wondered why that’s not more of an option (for at least stretches) but Thibs prolly likes the traditional 5 for defensive purposes (Randles def no back line wall)
Obi1 is not a 3. And Randle is not a 5. Biggest difference this yr with Randle. Is his Tov. and decision making. He’s playing more like a point4. Which I’m not a big fan of. Rather a real PG. Lowry for 1yr sounds interesting. Got my attention.
I would not have thought Obi could play like a 3 but in his limited action this year, he’s spent a lot of time around the deep perimeter/3 point line. So I could see it, particularly if he develops his shot more.
I think they want more of a traditional shooting guard type to start the game and Barrett is more of a slasher at the 3 than a 2
Defense would suffer. Neither player is known for their D and the paint wouldn’t be protected, thus other teams taking advantage of it. Offensively, Topin would push Randle outside, making it too predictable. Randle’s success this year is his outside ability while still being the threat he always has inside. If Topin develops that 3 more consistently, offensively I could see it happen.
True. I guess my main point is that if Toppin develops into a good player, would the Knicks really fuss around with positional distinctions or would they just find a way to get him more playing time? I think it’s the latter. All depends on Obi developing, though.
I would like to see Toppin as a Stretch 5. I think he needs an identity and that would be a nice structure for him to follow. I know defensively it may be a challenge but depending on the match up it could be the best way to develop him and it would give the Knicks a different look. His explosive leaping ability makes up for his lack of size offering rim protection, rebounding and put-back abilities.
I agree with this — one thing I’ve noticed about Toppin this year is his length. Seems like with a little polish he could give a team 10-15m a night as a stretch 5
Then give him another 8-12m backing up Randle and you could get him to that 23-28mpg ~starter minutes
He’ll need to improve on D this summer but it’s possible.
They shouldn’t overlook the role players they had this year in the search for some big names that might ruin the chemistry that they have right now
I agree we may surprise the world this year!
We can re-sign most of our group, and sign Robinson, make a good draft pick. Build continuity,and tradition.
Yeah, I wouldn’t want to see them, for example, toss Bullock and Burks to the side for a 1 year balloon contract on Lowry. I think that would be a mistake.
They are gonna have to thread the needle though. They’ll have to extend Randle at some point next season, and I think Bullock could garner some interest from other teams this summer. The price of guys exceeding expectations
We need to keep the following players:
Mitch starter
RJ starter
Randle starter
Quickley second unit
Obi second unit
Rose second unit
Bullock starter
I’m on the fence with Noel and Burks. If somehow we can keep those two and add a rebounding big and a true point guard that can shoot the three we will be in great shape.
I think it makes a lot more sense overpaying 1/30 on Lowry than 4/80+ on Schroeder – Flexibility so key today and you know NY wants to be there IF a star ever enters the market with a barrel full of cash
Ball obv the 10 ft elephant
No matter what they will probably get a nice upgrade in that backcourt.
I would hold Randle/Toppin all 22 before making any permanent calls in either direction ….Time will probably provide the answer. Have to like where they sit today, can possibly package 2 1sts into top 10 as well if a player falls they Love (3 and D wing)
I would love Lowry on the team. Two positions that are big upgrade candidates are PG and SG/SF (however Bullock is classified). Lowry, even at his age, would be a nice upgrade over Payton and an upgrade on Bullock (who I like but there’s upgrade potential there) would make them decent enough contenders in the weak Eastern Conference.
Lowrys one of my favorite players ever – I worry Thibs would kill him tho in the regular season
He probably needs to be load managed at this point
I think Lowry knows the same, hopefully they could have that talk (w Thibs/mngmt) before the ink and agree its best for all w/ a handshake agreement
They need some more outside shooting as well IMO… defenses seem to really sag on them, they can really take a big step forward if they have more spacing for RJ/Randle .
Having Rose/Quickley to back up Lowry could help with that load management.
I actually like DeRozan as a fit for us, even tho historically I’ve never been a huge DD fan.
But between Rose, Quickley, and Randle, I’m not sure I think NYK needs a true PG. DeRozan has played quasi-PG in SA and could be a good balance of adding another guy who can get his own shot *and* create for others. Something that you don’t really get from someone like Lonzo.
My only hesitancy is DeRozan is that he’s trash from 3, and if Randle were to regress from 3, then you potentially end up with a real muddy offense.
Burks and Noel were mentioned as options. Seems like clear options for taking to me.
Too late to seek lottery spots. Give Wayne Ellington a chance with Thibs.
I like DeRozan on this team, his demeanor would fit nicely and he is really talented. Would be a good mentor to Barrett as well.
Burkes n Bullock are here to stay. Thibs loves them and they would be great rotation guys. I agree with we need more shooting. It’s why I like Fournier but Powell could also fill that. Knicks have three picks in top 32 picks. I like Toppin a lot. But let’s face it with this Randle. Obi1 will never get run. Noel I believe someone will sign him, gd for him. We can get a nice big with our picks. Isaiah Jackson or Charles Bassey will be there for us late in first or second. If you sign Lowry for a yr or two we can draft Giddey or D Duke at PG. I been saying this all yr. We can just sign Fournier and Dinwiddie. And then draft young talent. With Burkes, Bullock, Rose, Quickly our guard depth is set. We still have Toppin, Knox, Nttilikina to move in a trade (Barnes maybe). PG- Dinwiddie, SG- RJ,
C- Mitch, PF- Randle, SF- Fournier . Nice
I for one would like to see Knicks win out as 4th seed. It’s a big, super big accomplishment. As a home team I’m confident we can beat the 5th seed. Then I want the Nets. We probably lose. But I want to scare the Shoosh out of them. It would be great for city after this Virus nonsense.
Randle is a better player than Zion?
Knicks 4 seed
Pelicans 11 seed
You can’t play them together because Thibs doesn’t play anyone on a rookie deal. Just be aware that yes they are in the playoffs but he won’t grow any young talent. And your future draft picks are worthless and should just be traded for veterans. That’s not a hot take, not a hater, it’s just reality unless he’s forced due to injury you might as well just trade for hard nose Thibs type of guys that are on their 2nd contract.
RJ is probably an exception only because of how high he was drafted.
Quickly is as well and Toppin plays. I agree with the comment in general but if the rookie has the right demeanor there’s a chance.
Yeah I’ve been critical of Thibs RE: Quickley but he’s at least kept him steadily in the rotation even if I think he deserves a few more minutes
Toppin is kind of a unique case this season. He got hurt early and then Randle ended up making a leap. So since he came back it’s been a challenge to figure out how to get him solid minutes.
And I actually applaud what Thibs has done in some cases w/ the youth. Pulling Knox from the rotation was ultimately the right thing to do even tho a lot of guys would give him obligatory minutes just bc he’s a lotto pick on his rookie deal.
Nothing’s moved. The Knick FO (and, yes, it includes the HC) had an original rebuild blueprint and it’s still mostly applicable. The only two things that have changed (and have added a task to the FO’s list) are Randle’s ascension and the reduced role of the 2021 draft.
I expect Rose to know if he can extend Randle at an acceptable number prior to the draft, and develop a revised draft and FA strategy based on the answer.
This ain’t the old Thibs. We are still building a core. They will add another scorer. It’s what they need most. With Randle taking over. Toppin is expendable, that’s not giving up on youth. That’s moving young talent cause he won’t play. For a player that will play like Barnes !!!! Knicks have the assets to go after another very good player, star. But we can also just draft talent and sign two FA.
Todays Suns loss shows to take next step. We need another scorer. No Burkes tonight hurt. Payton is solid backup but he was a no show. Bridges and Chris closed us out tonight. And we should of had Bridges instead of Knox. Knox, Nttilikina, Toppin can all be moved. I rather have Barnes, Dinwiddie, Fournier. Or Powell, Barnes, Lowry. Draft a young PG. Point is we got options. It’s only first yr. Thibs is not here to tear it up. He’s here to build it up. It’s a rebuild and we are way ahead of schedule.